(Michael D. B.4.9.1952, 2/96 & letter 16.3.96)

Birth and marraige dates from Annie Gilbert's Family Bible. (Jean D. letter 6.4.96)

In later life Thomas and Sarah were looked after by their eldest daughter Abra. (Michael D 26.4.96)

Thomas is featured in a painting (see photograph) with a racehorse called 'Manganese', owned by the Rev King and Osbournea nd winner of the One Thousand Guineas in 1854, was the first major victory. King bought out Osbourne and Manganese became one of the 'pillars of the Ashby stud'. The dogs in the painting are Thomas's favouvrite. (Mark 14.5.97 and book on King) See copy of picture from the auction house that dates the picture as 1856 featuring Thomas at Ashby Hall, Ashby De La Launde, painted by William Henry David. (invaluable.com 12.5.22)

On the 15th of May 1857, Thomas bought for £700 428 square yardsof land in St Swithins Lincoln from Edward Ross, a farmer.Thomas is described as a 'gentleman's servant' living in Ashby. This is the land, which the iron foundry was situated on, which was founded by Richard, Thomas's brother. (Indenture in Lincoln Archives 27.10.97)

Thomas used to take the stallions to stud and so would travel quite some distance with them and was some times away for days. (Mark 14.5.97)

'Thomas Duckering was the groom to the Rev John W King of Ashbyde le Launde. Rev King, as well as being the vicar of Ashby, also owned Ashby Hall, which he had inherited from his father,along with a small horse racing stable and stud. Rev King bred quite a few good race horses, one of which was called 'Apology'.In 1874 it had an exceptional season. By this time though, theRev. King was 81 years and in ill health, so handed over the 'reins' of the stables to a nephew. On the eve of the St Leger, 'Apology' went lame. The nephew was not sure what to do socalled upon Thomas to help. Thomas agreed to and spent the whole night with 'Apology' bathing and bandaging her legs. Next day 'Apology' was not only fit to run, but ended up winning the race. For his efforts, Thomas was given £50, this money he used to help buy a farm of his own.' See picture from the Illustrated London news for September 26 1874, page 305, 'Apology wins the St Leger. (Story recounted by Aunt Lill (Hamond) Mark 14.5.97) (NB, 'Apology' was considered amongst the racing fraternity to be the best filly in 1874. In addition for the year 1874 the Rev King won £15, 225 in prize money. See 'A Vicar, a Racehorse and a Bishop, by Gerald L Pendred, page 5 &6) (Mark 14.5.97)

The Will of Rev John W. King, states, "The farm which Thomas Duckering, his late groom held under him at his death to be held on trust, to permit him to occupy it for fourteen years following under the same terms." Will dated 1.5.1874, Rev. Kingdied 9.5.1875. (Mark 14.5.97)

The 1876 Kelly's Lincolnshire directory under Martin near Sleaford, records, 'Thomas Duckering, farmer.' (Michael 26.4.97)

Annie Gilbert recalls that her Grandfather was a groom to the vicar at Ashby de la Launde. (Jean D. letter 6.4.96)

This is confirmed on Frederick's birth certificate, born28.8.1865, Thomas's son, that his father was a groom residing at Ashby de la Launde. (Michael D. 27.4.96)

'At the time of his marriage Thomas was Head Groom to Mr King at the racing stables at Ashby Hall (Ashby-de-la-Launde), about 8 miles south of Lincoln. He looked after a famous horse called Apology, which won several important races including the St Leger in about 1860. Thomas used to travel in the horse box to the race. When the horse won the St Leger he was given a large tip of £50. Soon after he married he took over the tenancy of one of the farms, and later during the 1870's moved to Martin.' (Michael D. 26.4.96)

The 1911 Census records the Thomas & Sarah had a ‘General Servant (Domestic)’ working for them, May Miller, aged 15, single and born Lincoln.’

Thomas's will records him as a farmer and grazier living in Martin, Lincolnshire. On the winding up of Thomas's estate, there is a receipt in amongst the papers, which are held at Lincon Archives, showing that he purchased plants for his farm from Alfred Duckering at East Barkwith. (See copy of receipt on Alfred's file).

Thomas owned and lived in Moor Farm, Martin, from 1874 to 1912and his wife until 1915. See photograph and maps on file.


Obituary from Lincolnshire Chronicle - August 24th 1912
MARTIN.- OLD INHABITANTS DEATH. During the past week one of theoldest inhabitants, in the person of Mr. Thomas Duckering, haspassed away. The deceased gentleman, who was 90 years of age,had been in failing health for some time, but only took to hisbed a few weeks ago. He was a well-known farmer, having farmedin Martin for a great number of years, while the late Rev. J. WKing, of Ashby, was Lord of the Manor, also later under Capt.Reeve-King, and still more recently under Lord Londesborough,who loses one of the oldest tenants on the estate. In his earlydays Mr. Duckering was coachman to the Rev. J. W. King, of Ashbyde-la-Launde. He leaves a widow, five sons, and two daughters,to mourn their loss. The funeral took place on Tuesday afternon,the Vicar, the Rev. J. H. Boldero, officiating. Amongst thosewho followed the remains to the grave were the members of thefamily, Mr. G. Gunthorpe (Sleaford), Mrs Dickson (Ashby), Mr andMrs Auckland, and Mr Marshall (Martin Fen), Mr Feneley, and MrSkinner (churchwardens). The bier, presented a short time ago byMrs Packer, of Ecclesfield, was used for the first time.' (seecopy on file)

St Catherines House records that Thomas in his will left £711 6s3d. Probate was given to Samuel Henry D. and Richard D.,farmers. (Michael D. 29.6.96)

'This is the last will and Testament of me Thomas Duckering ofMartin in the County of Lincoln Farmer. I revoke all prior willsand I appoint Charles Gunthorpe of Rowston in the said County ofLincoln Farmer and Charles Duckering of the City of LincolnFoundryman EXECUTORS of this my will. I bequeath to my wifeSarah Duckering all the household furniture, plate, linen,china, glass, books, pictures, prints, housekeeping stores, andother household effects belonging to me at the time of my deathand a legacy of one hundred and fifty pounds to be paid to herout of the first moneys coming to the hands of my executors andI devise and bequeath all the real and the residue of thepersonal estate to which I shall be entitled at my death untothe said Charles Gunthorpe and Charles Duckering their heirsexecutors administrators and assigns Upon trust to sell my realestate and to call and convert into money my residuary personalestate and to invest the money arising from the sale calling inand conversions of my said real and residuary personal estate inthe names or name of the trustees or trustee for the time beingof this my will and to pay the income of the said moneys stocksfunds and securities to my said wife during her life if sheshall so long continue my widow and after her death or marriageagain as to the capital and income of the same moneys stocksfunds and securities In trust for my child if only one or all mychildren if more than one who either before or after the deceaseor future marriage of my said wife shall being sons or a sonshall attain the age of twenty one years or being daughters or adaughter attain that age or marry and if more than one in equalshares and I empower my said trustees with the consent of mysaid wife during her widowhood and after her decease or marriagein their discretion and notwithstanding any of the trustshereinbefore declared to apply any part or parts notexceeding in the whole one third of the capital of the fund orshare to which each or any child of mine shall be entitled in ortowards the advancement in life or otherwise for the benefit ofthe same child whether such child shall be a son or daughter orshall be under the age of twenty one years or not. And I alsoempower my said trustees if they shall think fit andnotwithstanding any of the trustshereinbeforedeclared to carry on my farming and grazing businessand for that purpose to continue tenants of the Farm which Ishall occupy at the time of my death and to employ my live anddead agricultural stock and such part of my personal estate asthey think fit with liberty for them at any time to transfer thebusiness to any son or sons of mine upon such terms as theyshall think reasonable . I devise all real estates vested in meas trustee or mortgages unto and to the use of the said CharlesGunthorpe and Charles Duckering their heirs and assigns subjectto the trusts and equities affecting the same respectively INWITNESS whereof I the said Thomas Duckeringthe testator have tothis my last will and testament contained in this and thepreceding sheet of paper set my hand this second day of Octoberone thousand eight hundred and seventy eight - Thomas Duckering- SIGNED and acknowledged by the said Thomas Duckering thetestator as and for his last will and testament in the presenceof us both present at the same time who at his request in hispresence and in the presence of each other have hereuntosubscribed our names as witnesses H.A.Peake Sol. Sleaford -DANIEL ELWOOD Clerk to Messrs Peake Snow & Peake Solrs.Sleaford.'
'This is a codicil to the last Will and Testament of me ThomasDuckering of Martin in the County of Lincoln which will bearsdate the second day of October one thousand eight hundred andseventy eight. Whereas Charles Gunthorpe named in my said willas a trustee and executor has died since the date and executionof my said will. Now it is my will that my son William Duckeringshall be substituted in the place of the Charles Gunthorpe asone of the trustees and executors of my said will. And I directthat my said will shall be read and construed as if the name ofthe said William Duckering had been inserted throughout the saidwill in the place and instead of the name of the said ChralesGunthorpe. And I confirm my said will in other respects INWITNESS whereof I the said Thomas Duckering the testator have tothis a codicile to my last will and testament set my hand thistwenty sixth day of March one thousand nine hundred - THOMASDUCKERING - SIGNED and acknowledged by the said Thomas Duckeringthe testator as and for a codicil to his last will and testamentin the presence of us both present at the same time who at hisrequest in his presence and in the presence of each other havehereunto subscribed our names - HENRY SNOW Solr. Sleaford -CHARLES HARWOOD Clerk to Messrs Peake Snow & Son SolicitorsSleaford.'
'This is a second codicile to the last will and Testament of meThomas Duckering of Martin in the County of Lincoln Farmer whichwill bears date the second day of October one thousand eighthundred and seventy eight with a codicile dated the twenty sixthday of March one thousand nine hundred. Whereas by my said willI have directed that the residue of the moneys to arise from thesale and conversion of my real and personal estate shall bedivided equally between my children who being sons shllattain the age of twenty one years or being daughters shallattain that age or marry. Now I bequeath to my son RichardDuckering the legacy or sum of fifty pounds in addition to theprovision made for him by my said will such legacy to be paid tothe said Richard Duckering after the decease of my wife and sothat the residue of the moneys to arise from the sale of my realand personal estate shall be divided between the children amongwhom the same is directed to be divided by my said will in sucha manner that the share of the said Richard Duckering shall bemore in amount than the shares of the other children by fiftypounds. And in all other respects I confirm my said will andfirst codicil IN WITNESS whereof I the said Thomas Duckering thetestator have to this a second codicil to my last will andtestament set my hand this fifth day of September one thousandnine hundred and four - THOMAS DUCKERING _ - SIGNED andacknowledge by the said Thomas Duckering the testator as and fora second codicil to his last will and testament in the presenceof us of both present at the same time who at his request in hispresence and in the presence of each other have hereuntosubscribed our names as witnesses - NORMAN ED. SNOW SolicitorSleaford - FRED. KEAL Clerk to Messrs. Peake Snow & SonSolicitors Sleaford.'
'This is a third codicil to the last Will and Testament of meThomas Duckering of Martin in the County of Lincoln, Farmerwhich will bears date the second day of October onme thousandeight hundred and seventy eight with two codicils datedrespectively the twenty sixth day of March one thousand ninehundred and the fifth day of September one thousand nine hundredand four I revoke the appoointment of my son William Duckeringas a trustee and executor of my will and i appoint my sonsSamuel Henry Duckering and Richard Duckering to be TRUSTEES andEXECUTORS jointly with Charles Duckering named in my said willand I bequeath to my children Abra Palin Duckering and the saidSamuel Henry Duckering the legacy of fifty pounds each inaddition to the provision made for them by my said willsuchlegacy to be paid to them on the death of my wife. And Idesire my executors to employ the firm Peake Snow and Son ofSleaford as Solicitors to my estate. And in all other respects Iconfirm my said will and codicils IN WITNESS whereof I the saidThomas Duckering have to this a third Codicil to my last willand testament set my hand this twenty first day of September onethousand nine hundred and eleven - THOMAS DUCKERING - SIGNEDand acknowledged by the said Thomas Duckering the testator asand for a third codicil to his last will and testament in ourjoint presnce and at the same time by each other of us in hispresence - NORMAN ED. SNOW Solicitor Sleaford - ARTHUR TYLERClerk to Messrs. Peake Snow & Son Solicitors Sleaford.'
'Onthe 28th day of October 1912 Probate of this Will with threeCodicils was granted to Samuel Henry Duckering and RichardDuckering two of the Executors.'(Michael D. 24.10.96)

Transcript in the Lincolnshire Chronicle 25th February 1915 -farm sale.
'MARTIN, LINCOLN, Messrs' Bembridge and Ravell, favoured withinstructions from the Exors. of the late Mr T Duckering, willSELL by AUCTION, upon the Premises at Martin, on THURSDAY,FEBRUARY 25th 1915, the whole of the Live and Dead FARMINGSTOCK, etc, consisting of
6 HORSES. 1. Brown horse (Duke) 9 years old. 2. Brown cart colt,3 years old. 3. Bay mare (Beauty) aged. 4. Brown half leggedmare, aged. 5. Brown cart colt, 2 years old (unbroken). 6. Brownnag filly, 2 years old (unbroken).
23 BEASTS - 3 cows in profit, cow (time up 1st week in March), 2very fresh heifers, 4 two year old steers, 5 yearling heifers, 2yearling steers, 6 rearing calves.
32 SHEEP - 32 Lincoln long-wool ewes (in lamb by Lincoln andHampshire rams).
7 Porket PIGS.
IMPLEMENTS. -Waggon with raves and sideboards complete,hermaphrodite, 2 Scotch carts, shepherd's cart, strong springdog-cart, Cambridge roll, flat roll, spring balance corn reaper,Ransome and Sims spring ?irag. Cooke's double-furrow plough,single plough by Cooke, iron plough by Penton, potato hiller,set of 3-horse harrows, 2-horse ditto, seed harrows, palmiternarrows, chain harrows, 3 sets heeltrees, wool drag, 2scufflers, iron skerrifier, wheelbarrow, wheel chaff-box, 3turnip cutters, pulper, dressing machine, corn splitter (bypower or hand), weighing machine and weights, running and eckingbarrows, waggon ladder, 3 various ladders, 20 qrs sacks, 250 ydswire netting, 60 stakes, 6 sheep troughs, cake breaker, stackcover, iron bar, 2 waggon ropes, 2 swathe rakes, 2 hand rakes, 1dozen bundles of thatching pegs, iron pig trough, 1 dozen trays,3 tumbrils, cart jack, 2 cutting knives, half-dozen hen coops, 2boarded trays, water tub, old furnace, buckets, scuttles,gathering rakes, corn hoes, 2 planks, shovels, spades, potatoscoops, pick, scythes, 3 manure forks, 4 hand forks, old iron,etc.
About 1 Ton Sharpe's Express SEED POTATOES.
TACKLE complete for 4 horses, breaking tackle.
Sale to commence at 12 o'clock.
The Auctioneers wish to draw the attention of the public to thisSale. The horses are active and good workers. The Beasts andSheep are a good lot, worthy of the attentiuon of graziers anddealers. The Implements are modern and to good order.
Auction Offices: Walcott and Billinghay.' (See copy on file)

The final sale raised £958-19-5. (See copy on file)

Nottinghamshire Guardian, 8 January 1857. Marriages. At Ashby, on Thursday last, by the Rev J W King, Mr Thos. Duckering, head groom to the Rev J W King, to Sarah, third daughter of the late Mr H Dixon, of Newark.